Adapting and testing a behavioral program to prevent FASD and adverse infant outcomes
Official title: Adapting and testing a behavioral intervention to prevent FASD and adverse infant outcomes
Funded at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med · NIH-11595604 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A behavioral program is being tailored and tested to help pregnant and breastfeeding women reduce alcohol and other substance use to protect babies in South Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | April 13, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $221,790 |
| NIH project number | 3R33AA030043-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11595604 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or lactating individuals who report alcohol use (and co-use of tobacco or cannabis) in South Africa and are willing to participate in a behavioral intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who do not use alcohol or other substances during pregnancy/lactation or who cannot participate in behavioral interventions may not receive direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to adapt an evidence-based behavioral intervention to reduce polysubstance use during pregnancy and lactation, with the goal of lowering fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other adverse birth outcomes. The study will tailor strategies like contingency management to the South African context and test their feasibility and impact among pregnant and lactating individuals. It will address co-occurring use of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis, which together worsen birth outcomes. By engaging women in a supportive program, the research seeks to promote healthier behaviors for both mother and child. The work is conducted in collaboration with the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, under a pilot-scale R33 grant in SA and the U.S. research setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could reduce prenatal substance use and the incidence of FASD, improving cognitive and physical development outcomes for children.
How similar studies have gone: Contingency management approaches have shown success in reducing prenatal substance use in other settings, though this specific adaptation in SA is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Washio, Yukiko — Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Med
- Study coordinator: Washio, Yukiko
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adapting a Behavioral Program to Prevent FASD and Harmful Infant Outcomes in SA
A program is being adapted and tested to help pregnant and breastfeeding women in South Africa reduce alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other infant problems.
-
CD38 and muscle energy in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy
The team is trying to lower CD38 to boost muscle energy and help men with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA).
-
Investigating CD38 as a potential treatment target for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy
This study is looking at a condition called spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) that mainly affects men, and it aims to find out how a specific enzyme called CD38 might help improve energy in muscle cells, which could lead to new treatments for people with this condition.
-
Creating a zebrafish model to study a genetic neuromuscular disease.
This study is creating a special zebrafish model to help find new treatments for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), a genetic disease that mainly affects men, so researchers can quickly test potential therapies in a way that's both fast and affordable.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.